Man Accused Of Using Religion To Pull Off Scam Pleads Guilty

PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A Detroit man accused of using religion to gain the confidence of people with mortgage problems and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars faces sentencing next month.

Anthony Carta, 53, pleaded guilty Monday to seven felony charges in Circuit Court in Pontiac. The case stemmed from an investigation by Attorney General Bill Schuette's Corporate Oversight Division.

Charges include conducting a criminal enterprise, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2.

Schuette's office says Carta had a company called Freedom By Faith Ministries. Carta is accused of taking money from more than 100 people who were led to believe he would help them with their montages through his company. Authorities say Carta pocketed the cash, but did nothing to assist the customers.

"We have secured justice for the victims who believed they entrusted their money to a faith-based ministry designed to help them, while instead they were deceived by a criminal," Schuette said in a statement. "We will hold sham organizations accountable for their criminal activities wherever they may be."

Carta has been ordered to pay $586,000 in restitution through the organization and $400,000 in restitution himself.

Citizens who believe they may have been victims of Carta's Freedom By Faith Ministries mortgage assistance fraud are encouraged to file complaints with the Attorney General's Office at www.michigan.gov/ag.

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